Assistant News Director

About the role

The Assistant News Director helps lead the newsroom’s daily editorial, operational and people-management responsibilities. This position works closely with the News Director to deliver accurate, impactful local journalism across broadcast, digital and social platforms. This role supports Sinclair’s local-news mission: high-quality reporting that matters to viewers, strengthens accountability and performs across platforms.

Responsibilities

• Help set and execute the daily editorial agenda, with an emphasis on breaking news, enterprise reporting, investigative work and community-focused coverage.
• Lead daily editorial meetings; coordinate assignments, live coverage, special projects and major-event plans.
• Coach reporters, producers, anchors, photographers and digital staff on writing, storytelling, live execution, ethics and urgency.
• Oversee newsroom workflows, staffing, schedules and performance expectations; assist with hiring, evaluations, scheduling and corrective action.
• Ensure newscasts and digital coverage are accurate, compelling, visually strong and delivered on deadline.
• Collaborate with producers and executive producers to improve rundown structure, breaking-news coverage, teases, graphics and multiplatform presentation.
• Guide coverage during breaking news, severe weather, elections, public safety events and other high-impact situations.
• Help grow audience through strong local reporting, accountability journalism and content tailored for broadcast, web, mobile and social.
• Maintain constructive relationships with community leaders, agencies and news sources.
• Serve as News Director when needed and perform other newsroom leadership duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field preferred.
• At least five years of television news experience; newsroom leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead under deadline pressure and make sound editorial decisions.
• Strong knowledge of broadcast writing, producing, live coverage, digital journalism and social media.
• Proven coaching, communication and team-building skills.
• Commitment to accurate, fair, ethical journalism and compelling storytelling.
• Flexible schedule, including early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays and breaking-news coverage.